Power cut off indefinitely at 140 Rancho Palos Verdes homes in "unprecedented" move

After much thought and careful consideration, city officials said on Sunday that Southern California Edison had to deenergize power to the Portuguese Bend Community Association neighborhood in Rancho Palos Verdes due to land movement in the area. 

Decision to cut off power is "unprecedented" 

"Edison never wants to turn off the power to a customer unless it is absolutely necessary," said Larry Chung with Southern California Edison during an afternoon press conference. "In this case, it is absolutely necessary."

Chung said the land movement in the Portuguese Bend community had created such a dangerous situation that the agency had no choice but to disconnect power in the unprecedented move to prevent the equipment from igniting a wildfire.

To that end, the power was cut off indefinitely as of noon to 140 homes, which have been under an evacuation warning since Saturday afternoon. 

The move was also expected to affect 40 students in the area, said LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, while appearing alongside other city and county leaders, during the news conference. 

Hahn, who represents 32 cities, including Rancho Palos Verdes, said her office has asked the Sheriff's Department to increase patrols in the area to ensure that the homes, if and when evacuated, are protected. 

Hahn urges state and federal assistance for RPV

"I think we're all learning that there is no playbook for an emergency like this one," Hahn said  "We don't have a step-by-step guide to follow, but what we do know is that many families are struggling, are suffering, are feeling great anxiety about what is happening. They are watching their homes, they are watching their streets crumble around them." 

Hahn said they were sparing no expense "because of a crisis of this magnitude is not something any city should face on their own."  She said she has committed an additional $5 million to the city in order to respond to this disaster. Hahn urged Governor Newsom to personally visit the area and to provide further assistance. 

"This is bigger than Rancho Palos Verdes. This land movement is so gigantic and so damaging that one city or one homeowner's association should not have to bear this burden alone," she said. 

Hahn said, though the land has been moving for decades, "the acceleration that's happening currently is beyond what anyone of us could have foretold and it demands more response from the state, more response from the federal government." Hahn said emergency assistance is available at the Ladera Linda Community Center on Forrestal Drive.

Residents should prepare to evacuate 

Residents were advised to not use water or plumbing after the power is shut off due to the threat of a possible sewer spill and to seek alternative housing and pack important documents, medications and any other essential items. Residents are encouraged to use the "Know Your Zone" evacuation tool, which can be accessed here: https://pvpready.gov.

"I do look at the residents here and I don't even known what to say, other than we're here to support you in any which way we can," said Robert Luna, the Los Angeles County Sheriff. "I know as we continue to move forward, every tough decision that we have to make, I can guarantee we're not just doing it. If it is something we have to do, it is based on your safety." 

"The Supervisor said it best: the playbook isn't as black-and-white as other incidences or events that we deal with," said Luna. He stressed that residents should be ready to evacuate.

"I hope it doesn't come down to that, but you've got to be ready at a minute's notice. If and when that order comes, please be ready to roll with that," he said. 

Additional patrols to secure evacuated properties 

Luna said his department will do "everything they can" to make sure the evacuated properties are safe. He said he will add additional resources, including the use of drones. 

"When you look up in the sky, there is going to be an extra eye up there," he said. "If you think you're going to come here and further negatively impact the residents of this area, you've got another thing coming." 

Luna said his deputies are ready to arrest those intending to steal from any property. He urged those in the area to report any suspicious activity. 

Chief Anthony Marrone with the Los Angeles County Fire Department said he recognized how devastating the land movement has been for residents of the area over the past year. 

"The shifting roadways continue to impact and increase response times and in some cases, make access impossible," he said. "Due to the recent sewages spill and the fire near Narcissa Drive that damaged electrical equipment, power is being shut off to ensure public safety." 

Marrone said, though land movement there has been occurring since 1956, it was moving 88 times faster than it was in October of 2022. He applauded SCE's decision to cut off power as a necessary step. 

"From a public safety standpoint, Southern California Edison is doing the right thing because our number one priority is not only resident and community safety, but also the safety of our first responders," said Marrone. "And I implore all of the residents to please heed the evacuation warning that has been issued by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and get ready for a potential evacuation order, if it is necessary."